Table of Contents
Plan the Location. Figure out where the excess water is pooling and where you want it to go. Dig a Trench. Line the Trench with Filter Fabric. Pour the Gravel Bedding. Hook Up the Pipe Connections. Set the Pipe Drain in the Trench. Cover with Gravel and Filter Fabric. Backfill with Topsoil.
How deep should a French drain be?
French drain depth: About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water-diverting projects, though related systems, such as those built around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.
Does French drain need an outlet?
A properly designed French drain system does not require an outlet. The water will simply soak into the soil as it flows along the perforated pipe. In fact, a French drain doesn’t require an inlet on just one end either.
Why do French drains fail?
Over time, a French drain may become clogged. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.
How do I put drainage in my lawn?
How to Fix a Waterlogged Lawn Aeration. Aerating the lawn will help to improve drainage and will add air into the soil which will improve the conditions for the grass roots to live in. Moss Killer & Fertiliser. Dig A French Drain. Choose Permeable Paths & Patios. Dig A Ditch. Plant A Bog Garden. Over-Seeding. Collect Rainwater.
What is the difference between a French drain and a trench drain?
Aside from what we’ve listed here, the difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for water that is underground while a trench drain diverts excess water from a surface.
Can you cover a French drain with dirt?
Can I cover a French drain with dirt? Because a French drain has holes throughout the pipe which allow it collect water, you should not install dirt on top of the drain pipe. Installing dirt will clog the pipe and the holes, rendering it useless.
How much gravel do I need for a 50 foot French drain?
How much gravel do I need per foot of French drain? You would need around 0.72 cubic feet of gravel per foot length of French drain for a typical French drain width of 10 inches and a depth of 12 inches if you’re using a 4″ drain pipe.
What kind of gravel for a French drain?
The stone should be no less than ¾” and dense (we suggest Granite, or River Gravel) so it will allow good water flow. Lime Rock, although inexpensive, is a poor choice for a French Drain because it will begin to deteriorate over time and eventually begin to pack down and restrict flow.
How long does it take to install French drain?
Completed Installation Time 6 – 8 Hours | A simple french drain installation can be done in one day by a team of professional landscapers barring any complications. 1 – 2 Days | If you rent a trencher and do the project yourself, you can expect it to take up most of your weekend.
Can you cover a French drain with grass?
The simplest drain is a classic French drain, which is nothing more than a trench filled with coarse stone or gravel. The drain can be left open or, if aesthetics are a concern, can be covered with a couple of inches of topsoil and sod.
How do I keep water from pooling in my yard?
Identify where you have standing water in your yard. Use a shovel to dig a trench in that area that leads to a place where the water can more easily drain. Line the trench with pea gravel. Purchase a French drain pipe or simply get a plastic, flexible landscape pipe.
How do you keep your yard from flooding in the rain?
How To Stop Your Yard From Flooding in the Rain Regrade your yard. The “grade” of a property is another word for the incline or slope of the land that it is on. Install a dry well. Soil has a lot to do with drainage, and some soils absorb water faster than others. Plant a rain garden. Invest in a sump pump.
How long will a French drain last?
Properly installed drains use advanced plastic sheeting called geotextile to protect the drainpipe from a blockage. French drains can last decades before needing maintenance. If your home requires a sump pump, a high-quality model will last around ten years before needing replacement.
How much does it cost to put in French drain?
According to Fixr, the average French drain costs $4,500. An exterior drain located fairly close to the surface could cost as little as $1,000, or $25 per linear foot on average. Drains installed under your basement floor could cost $2,000 or more. Expect to pay $60 to $70 per linear foot for installation.
Can a French drain get clogged?
But, just like any other type of drain, French drains are susceptible to clogging. Soil and debris have a tendency to build up inside the pipes, eventually stopping water from flowing altogether. To avoid letting water back up into your home, follow this French drain cleaning guide.
Do French drains need to be sloped?
French drains need to have a slope of at least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you. This means that the drain should slope down a total of at least one inch for every 10 feet of pipe.
How do I get rid of a swampy yard?
What to do when your Backyard is a Swamp Determine the cause for poor drainage. You need to first determine what is causing water to accumulate in your yard before looking into potential solutions. Till the soil. Install a dry well. Grow trees and shrubs. Use drainage pipe. Slope the yard away from your home.
Can you have a French drain without pipe?
Installing a French Drain Without a Pipe When you omit the pipe from a French drain, you’ve basically got a trench drain. If your soil drains well, you can simply dig the trench and cover the bottom with 3 to 4 inches of 3/4-inch drainage rock, depending on the depth of the trench.
What’s better than a French drain?
Swales or Valleys Swales, also called valleys, are an alternative to French drains that capture and divert rainwater. Swales are shallow ditches that do not contain pipes. You can usually find them along a property’s edge, following the natural grade of the land to direct runoff to ditches or wooded areas.
What is the difference between a French drain and a land drain?
But what do they all mean? Essentially, they are all the same thing. However, French drain more typically refers to the process of removing the surface water by installing a trench and backfilling with gravel. Before there was such a thing as a land drain pipe, this method was called a French drain – without a pipe.
